plate no. 8923

Portrait of Benjamin Franklin

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitportraitfigureclothingfurhistorical figureoval

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportioning and capturing likeness, as well as blending techniques to create smooth skin tones and subtle shading.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic oval shape and the position of the figure within it.
step 02
Sketch the main features of the face, paying close attention to proportions and angles.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of color for the background, face, clothing, and fur collar.
step 04
Begin layering and blending the skin tones, starting with mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds, buttons, and textures.
step 06
Paint the fur collar, using short, broken brushstrokes to create the illusion of texture.
step 07
Refine the facial features, adding details to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones using white, raw umber, and a touch of red. Use yellow ochre and white for the fur collar, adding small amounts of burnt sienna for shadows. Mix the red coat with burnt sienna and a touch of black.

techniques

·portraiture
·blending
·glazing
·scumbling
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the face.
→Over-blending, resulting in a flat, lifeless appearance.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
→Neglecting to add enough contrast between highlights and shadows.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints: raw umber, burnt sienna, titanium white, ivory black, yellow ochre, cadmium red light, ultramarine blue
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife